Hokkaido Shrine
北海道神宮
Hokkaido · Sapporo
Independent Ichinomiya Development
Meishin-taisha
Ichinomiya (Yamato Province)
Omiwa Shrine
大神神社
/ Omiwa Jinja
Nijunisha
Admission
Free
Goshuin (Temple Seal)
300 yen
Access
10 min walk
Hours
Dawn to dusk
Overview
Omiwa Shrine (Miwa Shrine) is widely regarded as the oldest shrine in Japan, predating the construction of shrine buildings entirely. The shrine has no main hall (honden) because Mount Miwa itself -- the perfectly conical sacred mountain rising behind the shrine -- is the divine body of worship. This represents the most ancient and pure form of Shinto practice, in which a natural feature is directly venerated as a deity. The principal deity, Omononushi-no-Okami, is one of the most important gods in Japanese mythology, associated with the creation of the nation. The deity is particularly revered as the god of sake brewing, and many sake breweries across Japan display the sugidama (ball of cedar branches) that originated from this shrine. Mount Miwa can be climbed by permission (the ascent takes about 2 hours round trip), though strict rules apply: no photography, no eating or drinking, and no straying from the path. The mountain has been a sacred site for at least 2,000 years.
Enshrined Deities
⛩
Omononushi No Okami
primary Deity
Blessings
Shrine Network
Did You Know?
💡
The shrine has no main hall because the mountain itself IS the deity -- the purest form of ancient Shinto worship.
Source: documented
💡
The sugidama (cedar ball) hung at sake breweries across Japan originated from this shrine.
Source: documented
💡
Climbing the sacred mountain requires permission and follows strict rules: no photography, no food, no straying from the path.
Source: documented
Practical Information
Location Coordinates
34.5267, 135.8544
Physical Address
1422 Miwa, Sakurai-shi, Nara
奈良県桜井市三輪1422
Access
Miwa Station (JR Sakurai Line/Manyou Mahoroba Line)
10 min walk
Hours
Dawn to dusk
Visitor information last verified: 2026-04-06. Please check the official website for the latest details.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Information provided by Jinja DB Editorial Team
What is Omiwa Shrine?
Omiwa Shrine (Miwa Shrine) is widely regarded as the oldest shrine in Japan, predating the construction of shrine buildings entirely. The shrine has no main hall (honden) because Mount Miwa itself -- the perfectly conical sacred mountain rising behind the shrine -- is the divine body of worship. This represents the most ancient and pure form of Shinto practice, in which a natural feature is directly venerated as a deity. The principal deity, Omononushi-no-Okami, is one of the most important gods in Japanese mythology, associated with the creation of the nation. The deity is particularly revered as the god of sake brewing, and many sake breweries across Japan display the sugidama (ball of cedar branches) that originated from this shrine. Mount Miwa can be climbed by permission (the ascent takes about 2 hours round trip), though strict rules apply: no photography, no eating or drinking, and no straying from the path. The mountain has been a sacred site for at least 2,000 years.
Where is Omiwa Shrine located?
Omiwa Shrine is located in Sakurai-shi, Nara. The full address is: 1422 Miwa, Sakurai-shi, Nara.
What deities are enshrined at Omiwa Shrine?
The enshrined deities are: omononushi no okami.
What blessings can you pray for at Omiwa Shrine?
Omiwa Shrine is known for: Sake Brewing, Medicine, General Prosperity, Matchmaking.
How do I get to Omiwa Shrine?
The nearest station is Miwa Station (JR Sakurai Line/Manyou Mahoroba Line). It is about a 10-minute walk from the station.